Jorge Lorenzo to announce MotoGP paddock return... but in what role?
Less than a month after he announced his retirement, Jorge Lorenzo hints that he will be back in a MotoGP role next year after all...
Jorge Lorenzo has revealed he will be returning to the MotoGP paddock in the near future just a month after he hung up his leathers and retired from the sport, with reports linking him to a Yamaha test role.
The triple MotoGP World Champion brought his career to a premature conclusion on the back of a tough 2019 season with Repsol Honda, a campaign beset by injury woes and difficulties adapting to the RC213V.
However, while Lorenzo has been enjoying his newfound time off with numerous social media posts of him ‘living his best life’, the Spaniard says he will be back in the paddock sooner than we perhaps expect – even if he wasn’t drawn on what it would be.
“I will definitely be in the paddock again,” he told Red Bull’s Servus TV. “There will be something that I can announce soon.
"If you have the chance to live [in the MotoGP world] without pressure, then you are happy to take it..."
We can be fairly certain Lorenzo won’t be racing on track again any time soon (even if there is a potential opening at Aprilia now…) so his announcement is likely to be a familiar trope of any newly retired athlete.
A MotoGP testing role for Jorge Lorenzo?
Injuries notwithstanding, Lorenzo is a very attractive proposition for any team requiring an experienced test rider. While he will no doubt need a period of convalescence to recover from his various ailments, Lorenzo could stay match fit with a testing role.
Indeed, with Dani Pedrosa earning plaudits on the side for his (well paid) role in helping KTM come up to form, a similarly burgeoning team like Aprilia might find Lorenzo a prime target to help speed up development of its RS-GP.
Latest reports suggest Lorenzo is being courted by Yamaha to fill a relatively vacant test role, even if the manufacturer had hinted it will be adopting an all-Japanese testing crew.
Playing devil’s advocate for a moment, Lorenzo might find his spirit for racing return in a behind-the-scenes role. Indeed, as defiant he is right now that he has retired – and was blessed with a fittingly poignant send off in Valencia – this is also the same man that was insisting he’d see out his contract weeks before he confirmed he was on his way out.
Indeed, it will be hard for Lorenzo to switch off completely. Casey Stoner, who seemed dead certain retirement meant retirement came back for various test outings and a Suzuka 8 Hours appearance.
What else could bring Jorge Lorenzo back to MotoGP paddock?
Lorenzo might see his future in a managerial role to continue the legacy of #99. Much like Valentino Rossi has done with his VR46 Academy and Max Biaggi is doing with his Moto3 racing team, Lorenzo could be tempted to emulate them.
Then there are the various TV offers that land in a rider’s inbox on their retirement… who wouldn’t want to hear Lorenzo’s commentary over Valentino Rossi’s performances?
